ASH's High School Student Symposium Exposes Students in Orlando to Hematology and Biomedical Research

ORLANDO, Fla., Nov. 30, 2010 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The American Society of Hematology's (ASH) annual High School Student Symposium will be held at the Orange County Convention Center on December 2, prior to the 52nd ASH Annual Meeting.  At the symposium students will have the opportunity to learn about sickle cell disease – an inherited disorder in which the body makes crescent-shaped red blood cells that can result in pain, infection, and even stroke – through lectures, interactive activities, and a poster contest.

"The dynamic speakers and hands-on activities at this event provide young adults with a unique look at the field of biomedical sciences," said Scott D. Gitlin, MD, Associate Professor of Internal Medicine at the University of Michigan and Chair of ASH's Committee on Training Programs, which organized the event with assistance from the ASH Trainee Council.  "By focusing students' attention on the rewarding and exciting aspects of hematology and medical research in general, we hope to spark their interest in biological sciences and challenge them to consider a career in science and medicine."  

Students from five Orlando high schools - Apopka, Colonial, Evans, Jones, and Oak Ridge - will attend the half day event, which features an introductory lecture about pursuing a medical career given by David D. Shepard, Hematology/Oncology Fellow at the University of Michigan, and  two key lectures about the diagnosis and clinical manifestations of sickle cell disease and the treatment of the disorder presented by Richard Lottenberg, MD, Professor of Medicine at the University of Florida, and Julie A. Panepinto, Associate Professor of Pediatrics at The Medical College of Wisconsin.  In addition, students will divide up into small groups to participate in activities such as "Go Ahead, Make My DNA," in which they learn how to synthesize DNA, and "Life is a Crapshoot," in which they play an interactive dice game to learn about Mendelian inheritance.  

A highlight of the symposium is the poster contest, in which two teams of students per school present their research on sickle cell disease to a panel of judges made up of ASH symposium speakers and volunteers.  The top three groups earn cash awards of $1,500, $1,000, and $750 to be provided to their science departments.  

"I believe this symposium will provide my students with new insights into the disease state and encourage them to pursue careers as doctors or scientists," said Ronda L. Lewis, a chemistry instructor at Colonial High School.  "My students are looking forward to competing in the poster competition as well as meeting other students who may have similar interests in science and medicine."      

The American Society of Hematology (ASH) is the world's largest professional society concerned with the causes and treatment of blood disorders. Its mission is to further the understanding, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disorders affecting blood, bone marrow, and the immunologic, hemostatic, and vascular systems by promoting research, clinical care, education, training, and advocacy in hematology. ASH's website, Hematology.org, offers a number of educational resources for high school teachers, including videos, slides, and a curriculum titled "Explore the Mystery of Blood," under the "Training" tab. Follow ASH on Twitter at ASH_hematology.

SOURCE American Society of Hematology